NYSPRA ANnounces rick Kaufman, APR, as conference keynote speaker

NYSPRA is excited to announce Rick Kaufman, APR as our 2024 Spring Conference Keynote Speaker!

Rick is a nationally respected consultant, trainer and author on crisis management and communications. He has served students, families and educators in public schools (Wisconsin, Colorado and Minnesota) and emergency management for more than 30 years.

Among the first to arrive on scene at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, Rick provided triage and rescue operations following what was then the worst school shooting in U.S. history. In the days after the tragedy, Rick made a promise to commit his life to improving school safety and security.

Over the past 24 years he’s worked with hundreds of law enforcement and emergency management agencies, universities, and school systems throughout the U.S. to improve safety and security measures and emergency response. Notable work includes providing counsel to Township High School District (Highland Park, IL 4th of July parade shooting), Uvalde Public Schools (Robb ES), Broward County Public Schools (Stoneman Douglas HS), San Bernardino City Unified School District (North Park ES), Sandy Hook, FEMA (Field Coordinator/Hurricane Katrina), New York City Schools (post 9-11), and U.S. Bureau of Prisons (McVeigh execution).

Rick is the author of The Complete Crisis Communication Management Manual for Schools, and recipient of NSPRA’s President’s Award and PRSA’s PR Professional of the Year.